The Land surface covers over 29% of the planet, with 24.6 million or 15.8 billion acres of habitable land. Home to 7.9 billion humans in 2020 and an estimated 6.5 million different species of land-living animals, the planet is brimming with life. The more scientists and biologists research animal behaviours and habits, from the largest land animal, the elephant, to the smallest, Kitti’s hog-nosed bat, the more fascinating the discoveries.

Same-sex land-animal behaviours can typically be found amongst large herd animals; however, encounters have also been recorded within surprisingly more solitary species. Giraffes are known to engage in same-sex relationships and behaviours, typically male-male. There are high levels and frequencies of same-sex behaviours, higher than heterosexual relationships, typically starting with aggressive necking, followed by caressing one another.

Even apex predators are known to be more fluid sexually. Lions which are the second-largest feline globally, live and hunt amongst the grasslands and savannas of Africa. Both male and female lions are known to engage in same-sex relationships. Often, these types of relationships are part of a bonding ritual or system, lasting many days. The dominant male or female will initiate the activity by nuzzling and caressing, ultimately mounting the passive lion.

Large birds, such as Flamingos, sometimes form committed same-sex relationships, including travelling, living, raising their young, and engaging in sexual relationships. There are four species found throughout the Americas, Africa, Asia and Europe. Flamingos get their distinct colour from their food, from tiny insects, crustaceans such as shrimp to blue-green algae. Flamingos are highly social birds within their colonies, known as pats, often containing populations of thousands.

Whether the Dwarf Chimpanzees, observed engaging in bisexual relationships or horses creating close bonds and sexual relationships with those from the same sex, not all animals are exclusively heterosexual. In reality, there are too many to list; however, a few notable mentions are the Black Bears, Grizzly Bears, Brown Bears and Polar Bears. Not only large mammals but also insects. Dragonflies inflict damage to females’ heads during sex. Studies into mating rituals found that high percentages of male dragonflies had evidence of the same head injury, meaning that same-sex behaviours were commonplace. Dragonflies live in every continent and country except Antarctica and are both agile fliers and effective predators.